ROBERT Kubica admits Sunday’s season-opener in Melbourne will be emotional as he makes his return to racing in Formula 1.

The Pole suffered a partially severed right arm in a rallying crash seven years ago.

But he will line-up on the grid at this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix for the Grove-based Williams team.

Kubica previously spent five seasons in F1 between 2006-2010, finishing on the podium 12 times and claiming one victory.

And the 34-year-old, who was Williams’ test driver last year, is under no illusions about the challenges he will face in his first race back.

He said: “It will be a very emotional grand prix.

“It is the second debut for me after being away from the sport for many years.

“My last Formula 1 race was in Abu Dhabi 2010, so I am looking forward to going to Australia with a few things to cover and learn.”

Williams finished last in the constructors’ standings in 2018 and are already playing catch-up after missing the first two days of pre-season testing.

But that has not dampened rookie George Russell’s enthusiasm.

He said: “I am extremely excited for Melbourne. It will be my first race in Formula One and it is a dream come true.”